Former Mount Vernon resident Nathan Dewitt who died Christmas night in Phoenix. CLICK TO ENLARGE

(PHOENIX, AZ.) -- It is a strange case and one that Phoenix police are still trying to sort out. How and why did a former Mount Vernon, Washington man, a National Yo-Yo Champion and instructor end up being shot in the back late Christmas night before he crashed his car into a tree.

As of yesterday it was not clear what the events were that led up to the death of 23-year-old Phoenix resident Nathan Dewitt.

All police knew was that he may have been at a party before he was shot just before midnight and family members, posting on Facebook, said he may have been trying to drive himself home when his SUV crashed into the tree and overturned.

Even though he had suffered a serious gunshot wound to the back, Dewitt was able to crawl from the vehicle after the crash - with the help of a good Samaritan, who stayed with Dewitt until medical help arrived - and was taken to a Valley hospital in Phoenix where he later died from his injuries, according to police.

However it was not immediately known if Mr. Dewitt died from the gunshot, the injuries sustained in the crash or from both.

A blog that covers competitive yo-yoing posted a memorial for Dewitt and said he was the 2005 Pacific Northwest yo-yo champion and a yo-yo instructor.

The Arizona Republic newspaper said the website for the Pacific Northwest Yo-yo Championships said Dewitt placed 10th in 2008 and 18th in 2011.

Below is a video of DeWitt doing what is called a “360 ear spin.”

Below is a link to video report on Dewitt’s death from the Phoniex area NBC TV affiliate.

Police encourage anyone who may have information about the shooting to call the Violent Crimes Bureau at 602-262-6141 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480- TESTIGO for Spanish.